Fourth Board of Treasurers meeting will be held in the geographic heart of Australia today to discuss ways to improve the economic outcomes for all states and territories.

On the agenda at the meeting, to be held at Uluru in the Northern Territory, are a range of initiatives to lift national productivity, including best practice in infrastructure delivery, the planning approval processes, data sharing, payroll tax administration harmonization, and the mutual recognition of occupational licences.

Treasurers will also discuss the Commonwealth Government’s GST reform package and how to ensure the guarantee that “no state would be worse-off” is monitored.

Chair
of the BOT, New South Wales Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, said the group had
provided an important forum in 2018 for state and territory treasurers to work
together.

“It
has provided a way for treasurers to talk openly and look at mutually
beneficial solutions to problems.” Treasurer Perrottet said.

“Power
of the BOT was clearly illustrated by how we worked with the Commonwealth to
get an agreed outcome on GST sharing and on Gonski.”

Treasurer Perrottet thanked his state and federal colleagues for the commitment to the forum during its inaugural year.

“It has been an honour to chair the Board of Treasurers in 2018 and learn and share from treasurers around Australia.” Treasurer Perrottet said.

South Australian Treasurer Rob Lucas will Chair BOT in 2019 with a date and time of the next meeting to be determined.